Cong. leader Venkatesh slams Budget as ‘anti-people’

Congress leader and KPCC spokesperson H.A. Venkatesh on Sunday criticised the Union Budget, terming it “anti-people” and alleging that it offers only “hollow slogans” without any effective or meaningful schemes.

In a statement, he accused the Centre of attempting to usurp the States’ rightful share of tax revenues and failing to lessen tax burden on the common people.

Referring to the recently released Economic Survey, Mr. Venkatesh maintained that “it had already exposed the NDA government’s failures across sectors, leaving the Union Government in a helpless position”.

“This reality is clearly reflected in the Budget, with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman forced to adopt a cautious approach. The Budget confirms that the Modi-led government lacks the financial strength required to take decisive policy decisions,” he alleged.

He further charged that the Centre continues to ignore the issue of fair tax devolution to States and has meted out “grave injustice” to Karnataka by announcing no specific projects for the State. The backward regions of North Karnataka, he said, were neglected, as no institutions of national importance such as an IIT or IIM were sanctioned.